Patent GB-184496-A (GB)
Title: A new or improved apparatus for closing or folding over the end flaps of collapsible cardboard boxes
IPC: B31B5/74
Filed: 1921-02-04
Abstract: 184,496. Walmsley, W. E. Feb. 4, 1921. Paper and like bags, folding down mouths of after filling. - Relates to a machine for folding over the overlapping ends of cardboard cartons, the construction illustrated being designed especially for those having countersunk ends. The folding means comprise a pair of hinged abutments 38, 64, Fig. 4, adapted to fold over the end flaps in sequence, and a pair of axially movable abutments for folding in the side flaps. The operating crank-shaft 1, Fig. 1, mounted in side plates on a frame 7, is driven by hand or power, and has a series of cams 3, 4, 5, formed either as cam-discs as shown or as cam-grooves, and cooperating with springs. A lever 9 pivoted to the frame serves to clamp the inner side of the carton in position against a plate 12, and has an arm 13 carrying a stud 14 adapted to be locked in adjusted position by a set-screw. The stud carries an eccentric pin 16 against which the lower end of a sliding plate 18 abuts, the stud itself being connected to a return spring 20. On the top of the plate 18 is a pin 22 maintained in contact with the cam 5, the first to come into action. The first effect of rotation of the crankshaft is therefore to cause depression of the plate 18 until it is engaged and held in position by a locking-pin 23 engaging a neb 24, Fig. 2, on the plate; this pin is not released until the cycle of operations is completed. The depression of the plate causes the lever 9 to hold the carton in position. Further rotation of the crank-shaft brings the cam 4 into engagement with a roller 30 on a lever 31, the other end of which engages a pin 33 on a rack-bar 34, the teeth at the upper end of which engage with and operate a pinion 37 on the axis of which is mounted abutment 38 which is thereby caused to fold in the front side base-piece 70, Fig. 4. To complete the folding and ensure the withdrawal of the abutment without tending to lift out the flap 44, the operative face part 39 is arranged to have a sliding motion, spring-controlled relative to the abutment. On the return of the abutment to its original position, the cam 3 comes into contact almost simultaneously with the ends of beams 46, 48 bearing on the ends of lever 51 pivoted to the sides of the frame, which levers engage the arms of bellcranks 54 furnished with hook fingers 55 adapted to engage and turn in consecutively the two side flaps of the carton. The fingers 55 having returned to position, the cam 4 operates a lever 58 the free end 59 of which bears against a cam pin 60 on a second rack-bar 61 and moves this downwardly, thereby turning the pinion-wheel 63 and operating the abutment 64, similar to abutment 38, thereby folding down the rear side base-piece 45 and completing the closing of the end of the carton. For gumming the flap 44 of the front side base-piece when required, the abutment 38 is arranged to tilt a plate 67 pivoted to a bracket 68 carrying a gum-trough 69. As the front side base-piece 70 is pressed down by the abutment its flap is brought into contact with a gum-roller 72 mounted to swing in guides and rotated by a pawl operated from the rack 34 so as to permit the periodic feeding of small quantities of gum from the trough on to the roller and present a fresh surface to the flap 44. Modified means especially suitable for holding a filled carton in position in the machine is shown in Fig. 9 and comprises cross-bars 88, 90 carried by pins 89, the carton 11 being held between the bar 88 and a face 93. A cam 94 on the crank-shaft engages at predetermined times an abutment 91 on the bar 90, and by pressing back the springs 92 encircling the pins releases the carton after the end closing operation. Specification 176,966, [Class 18, Boxes &c.], is referred to in the Provisional Specification.